What's really the difference between Am std and spec?

Spec has jumbo frets, and I think maybe the neck is different. I think the pups are different (made in Korea on the special).

I get the feeling that the hardware is generally a bit higher quality and really the price difference isn't that big, so I am leaning on the Std.

The Texas Specials are made in the USA , not Korea.They both have the Modern C neck profile, but the Special has the bigger headstock .Rhe Standard has the 2 point bridge and the special a 6 point..Bigger trem block on the Standard.The wiring is slightly different on both.The neck on the Standard has hand rolled edges.The Standard comes with a case, the special a gig bag.Bottom line is the Special has the older specs that the standard had before they went to a 2 point.The color options on the special are limited.If you want a SSS configuration you have to get a maple neck and 2 color choices,with the Standard, there are quite a few options and you can get either neck with the SSS or HSS.Both are descent guitars.Once you factor in the cost of the case , there is roughly less than 100 dollars difference.